Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus.



u. R. SGATTBRGOOD & H. A. WALLACE.

RAILWAY TB'AFPiO CONTROLLING APPARATEIS;

Patented June 23, 1914,

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

i INVENTORS WITNESSES W M a-z- G. R. SCATTERGOODK: H. A. WALLACE.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION IILED DEG.14, 1912.

Patented June 23, 1914 4 BHEETBSHEET 2.

VENTORS vlll RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING, APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.14, 1912.

Patented June23, 1914.

4 8HEETS-BHEET 3.

.||||||1||||r l I 1 n v l I l I l l I I I l u I I 1 l l 1 l 1 1 I 1 I I 1 l IL INV NTORS wrmzsszs G. R. SGATTERGOOD & H. A. WALLACE.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED DEC. 14, 1912. 1,101,039, Patented June 23, 1914.

\w v Q 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

\ l I l I I l V I I I I l I l I I l l mw Km I s g F H Q i2 Q. m

A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE R. SCATTERGOOD, OF PH'ILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AND HERBERT A. WALLACE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO THE UNION'SWITCH AND SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY-TRAFFIC-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 23, 1914;.

Application filed December 14. 1912. Serial No. 736,740.

1 '0 alb who m it may concern Be it known that we GEORGE R. SoA'r'rnR- GOOD and HERBERT A. the United States, residing, respectively, at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, and at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Railway-Trafiic-ControL ling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to indication means for railway trafiio controllin apparatus.

\Ve will describe several orms of indication means embodying our invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing one form of indication means embodying our inven tion applied in connection with a single switch. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View showinga similar form of indication means embodying our invention applied to two switches of a cross over. Figs. 3 and 4 are views showing modifications of the indication means of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, A designates a traffic controlling device, here shown as being a railway switch. This switch, is actuated by a suitable motor M, through the medium of an actuating mechanism F. As here shown this motor M comprises two solenoids 10 and 11 which control a reciprocating plunger 12, which latter is operatively connected with a plate 37. This plate is provided with a cam slot" 38, which aetuates a roller 39 operatively connected with the switch rails by means of a rod 40. It will be seen that reciprocation of the plunger 12 will cause reverse movements of the switch A. Operatively connected with the plate 37 is a polechanger P for a purpose which .we will hereinafter explain. Al-

though we have herein shown this particular type of motor device M, and actuating mechanism F, it is understood that we do not limit ourselves to these particular types, but that any suitable motor and switch actuating mechanism may be employed.

The motor M is controlled by means of a ilVALLAoE, citizens of circuit controlling lever C, which is usually one of a plurality of levers comprised in an interlocking machine. This lever C may be of any suitable type; as here shown it is of a usual and well known type comprising a shaft 13 which is adapted to oscillate and which operates a contact finger 18 for the control of the circuits for the solenoids of motor M. The control circuits for these solenoids are herein shown in dash lines for the purpose of distinction, the indicatioh circuits and the circuits pertaining thereto being shown in solid lines.

43 is a source of current which may be either .direct or alternating; as here shown it is a battery, in the arrangement of control circuits herein shown, one or the other of the solenoids 10 or 11 is connected with the source 43 according as contact finger 18 engages with contact 45 or 44. It is understood however that this arrangement of con trol of the motor device M by the lever C is merely illustrative and that we do not wish to limit ourselves to this particular arrange-- ment. The movements of the shaft 13 are as usual controlled by indication apparatus;

as here shown this apparatus comprises two indlcation devices K and K one for each directlon of movement. Each of these indication devices as here shown comprises a segment 27 fixed to the shaft 13 and provided with a dog 28 adapted to engage with a latch 29, which latches are controlled by electromagnets X and R respectively. Each of the eleclromagnets N and R is provided with a circuit which is controlled by an electromagnetic device D as hereinafter explained. The circuits for these indication magnets are also controlled by contacts 25 and 26 operated by the shaft 13. These conta ts are not moved during the first portion of the movement of the shaft 13 up to the point at which it is stopped by the dog 28 of one or the other of the indication devices, but during the remainder of the movement of the shaft, the contacts 25 and 26 are reversed in position. This operation of contacts 25 and 26 is as here shown obtained by mounting the contactfingers loosely on the shaft 13 and moving them by pins 31, 32, 33and 34 carried by collars 35 and 36 fixed on the shaft 13. It is understood, however, that the means herein shown for operating the contacts and 25 is merely illustrative, and that we do not llmit ourselves to this particularmeans.

The electromagnetic device D is a threewindings. As here shown this relay is of a polyphase type comprising two windings, a

' and f and a rotor T, but we do not wish to limit ourselves to this particular type of re lay. 14 and 15 are contact fingers operated by the rotor r; one or the other of these fingers is closed according as the rotor occupies one extreme position or the other, and both fingers are open when the rotor occupies its middle or neutral position.

19 designates a murce of alternating current, here shown as being a generator, to which are connected conductors 20. winding f of relay D is constantly energized from these conductors 20 through wires 21 and 22.

T designates a transformer whose primary 41 is connected -with conductors. 20 and whose secondary 42 is connected with contact points 48, 49 and 50 of polelchanger P. The movable contact fingers 16 and 17 of the pole-changer P are connected with the winding a of relay D by wires 24 and 23. It will be seen therefore that while the pole-changer P is in one extreme position, that is, when the switch actuating mechanism F occupies one extreme position or the other, the winding a is energized from transformer T in one direction or the other relative to the energization of the winding f, so that the relay D then occupies one extreme position or the other, thereby holding contact 14 or 15 closed. \Vhen, however, the mechanism F is intermediate its two extreme positions, the contact fingers 16 and 17 of pole-changer P are'disconnected from transformer T and engage contacts 46 and 47' which are electrically connected by'wire 51', so that the winding a is then disconnected from the transformer T and placed on the following short-circuit,from winding (1 through wire 23, contact finger 17, contact point 47, wire 51, contact point 46, contact finger 16, wire 24t0 winding a. The rotor rof relay D then assumes its middle position, so that both contacts 14 and 15 are open. The short circuiting contacts 46 and 4 7 are added to shunt from the winding 21 all current which might leak into wires 23' and 24.

In Fig. 1, the parts of the apparatus are shown in the positions which they occupy when the switch A occupies what I shall term The its normal position. The pole-changer R is therefore'in one of its extreme positions so that relay D is energized in such direction is open. "\Vhen it is desired to move the switch A from its normal position to its opposite position, (which I shall term its reverse position) the shaft 13 of control lever C is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow until the dog 28 of indication device K engages the latch 29. In this position the contact finger 18 has been disengaged from contact 44 and has engaged contact '45 so that solenoid 10 is energiz e(l through the following circuit-from battery 43 through wire 52, contacts 18 and 45, wire 53,.solc-noid 10, wires 54 and 55 to battery 43. This causes solenoid 10 to draw the plunger 12 thereby shifting the plate37 so that the roller 39 is moved by the cam slot 38 and the switch A is reversed. As soon as this movement begins and While the upper longitudinal portion of the slot 38 is moving past the roller 39, the pole-changer P is operated' so that'its contact fingers 16 and 17 disengage from contact points 48 and 50 and engage with contact points 46 and 47 thereby placing the winding a of relay D on short circuit so that the contacts 14 and 15 of this relay are then opened. The fingers 16- and 17 of the pole-changer continue to engage the points '46 and 47 while the switch A is being moved by the inclined portion of the slot 38. When the movement of the switch A is complete and the lower longitudinal portion of the slot 38 is moving past the roller 39 the contact fingers 16 and 17 are moved to engage with contact points 50 and 49 thereby connecting winding (1 with the transformer T inthe direction opposite to that shown in the drawing. Relay D is now energized in the reverse direction so that contact 15 is closed and contact 14 is open. The reverse indication magnet R is then energized by the following circuitfrom battery 43 through wires 55 and 56, contact 15, wire 57, contact finger 25, wire 58, magnet R, wire 59 to battery 43. Magnet R then raises its armature thereby rais; ingthe latch 29 out of the path of dog 28 of indication device K so that the movement of shaft 13 can be continued to the end of the stroke. During this last portion of the movement, contact 25 is opened thereby openino the circuit for magnet R and contact 26 is closed thereby closing at that point the circuit for magnet N. The operation of the apparatus for the movement of the switch ,A from the re verse to the normal position would be similar to that just explained, hence, it need not be explained here in detail.

' The transformer T is as here shown, a step-nptransformer, that is, the voltage delivered by the secondary is higher than the that the contact 14 is closedand contact 1o'- voltage impressed on the primary. For example, the voltage impressed on the primary 41 by the generator 19 may e 55 volts and the voltage delivered by the secondary 42 may be 110 volts. The relay D is so adjusted that it will be effectively energized by current at 110 volts in its winding a to close one or the other of its contacts, but that it will not be sutlicicntly energized by current at 55 volts in its winding ato close either of its contacts. Hence in case of a cross between the conductors 20 or any wires connected therewith and the wires 23, 24, even though current from generator 19 might then reach winding a without passing through pole-changer I the relay D would not be sufliciently energized because this current would be only at55 volts approximately,

Referring now to Fig. 2, we have here shown two switches A and B of a crossover controlled by a single lever C. Each switch is provided with a motor M or M, each of which motors operates a switch actuating mechanism F or F as in Fig. 1. The solenoids 11 of the two switch motors are connected to be controlled by one lever C and similarly the solenoids 10 are connected to be controlled by the same lever C, one pair or the other of these solenoids being energized according as contact finger 18 en gages contact 44 or 45. The actuating mechanism F operates a pole-changer P and the actuating mechanism F operates a polechanger 1 each of which pole-changers is similar to the pole-changer P 1 and hcreinbefore described. Each switch is provided with an indication relay, relay 1) being controlled by switch A and relay D by switch B. Each of these relays is as here shown of the same type as in Fig. 1, and each relay is controlled by its polechanger exactly as in Fig. 1. The circuits for the two indication magnets R and N are each controlled by the contact of the relays D and D in series; the circuit for the reverse indication magnet R is from battery 43 .through wires 55 and 56, contact 15 of relay D, wire 62, contact 14 of relay D, wire 57, contact 25, wire 58, magnet R, wire 59 to battery 43; the circuit for indication magnet N is similarly controlled by contact 14 of relay D and contact 15 of relay D in series. The transformers T and T of Fig. 2 are preferably of the step-up type as in Fig. 1. These transformers are also preferably so constructed that the current which will be delivered by the secondary 42 of each transformer is sufficient to energize one of the relays D or D to cause it to close its contacts but is not sufficient to effectively energize both of these relays to cause them to close their contacts in case of crossed wires. One form of transformer which Wlll accomplish tlns function 1s shown and deshown in Fi United States Letters Patent John D. Taylor on Described in #874,042 granted to cember 17, 1907.

Referring now to Fig. 3. we have here shown a modification of our invention, in which the indication relay, whichwe have here designated Q, is controlled by direct current and comprises only one winding. The motor M and switch actuating mechanism. F are the same as the corresponding parts in Fig. 1, and the control of motor de' vice M by lever C is the same as in Fig. 1. In Fi 3 however the motor device is energize from a direct current generator (33 to which are connected conductors (S4. The pole-changer P shown in this view is similar to that shown in Fig. 1. The indication relay Q as here shown is of a usual direct current polarized type having a neutral armature contact (35 and two polarized armature contacts 66 and G7. The circuitsfor both indication magnets N and R include the neutral contact the circuit for normal indication magnet N also includes polarized contact 66, and the circuit for reverse indication magnet R also includes polarized contact 67.. When it is desired to reverse the position of switch A the motor M is operated in the same manner as heretoforeexplained. As soon as the plate 37 begins to move, the contact fingers 16 and 17 of the pole-changer P are disconnected from points 48 and 50 and connected with con tacts 4G and 47 so that relay Q is deenergized and placed on short circuit; the neutral armature contact 65 then opens, thereby holding open the circuits for both of the indication magnets. Relay Q remains deenergized until the movement of the switch A is completed, at which time the contact fingers 16 and 17 of pole-changer 1 engage with contact points 50' and 49 respectively, thereby reverse direction so that contact 67 is closed and contact 66 is opened. Indication magnet R is then energized through the following circuitfrom positive power main X through wire 68, contacts 65 and 67, wire 69, contact 25, wire 58, magnet R, wire 59 to negative power main Y. The remainder of the operation of the control lever C is the same as hereinbefore explained.

Referring now to Fig. 4, in this view the latches 29 of the two indication devices are controlled directly by an electromagnetic device D This device as here shown is a polyphase motor comprising a rotor 1- and two stator windings a and f. The rotor r operates two bars and 76 which are adapted respectively to raise the latches 29 of the two indication devices K and K Vhen the motor occupies its middle position, that is, n'hcn it is dcenergized, both latches 29 are down. Vhen the motor is enenergizing relay Q in the dication device is raised, and when the motor is energized in the opposite direction the latch 29 of the other indication device is raised. The operation of the apparatus shown in this view will now be apparent from the detailed explanation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. It will be noted that with the apparatus shown in Fig. 4, when the switch A occupies either extreme position and the lever C occupies the corresponding extreme position of its stroke, the motor D is energized in one direction or the other so thatlatch 25) of one indication device or the other is raised. This however is not objectionable.

Although we have herein shown and described only a few forms of apparatus and circuits embodying our invention it is understood that various modifications and changes may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without de parting from the spirit and scope o our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is 1. In combination, a railway traftic controlling device, a'lever for the control thereof, indication apparatus for said lever, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals of current for controlling said indication apparatus, a low resistance shunt for the electromagnetic device, a source of current, and contacts operativcly connected with the traflic controlling device and arranged to connect the electromagnetic device with the source in one direction or the other according as the traflic controlling device occupies one extreme position or the other and to disconnect the electromagnetic device from the source and connect the electromagnetic device with said low resistance shunt when the traffic controlling device occupies an intermediate position.

2. In combination, a railway crossover comprising two switches, a. source of alternating current, a relay for each switch, a transformer for each relay whose primary is energized from the said source, means for each switch operatively cq' mected therewith for connecting the secondary of the corresponding transformer with the corresponding relay in one direction or the other according as the switch occupies one or the other of its extreme positions, each transformer being adjusted to give sufficient current to effectively energize one of said r2- lays but insufiicient to effectively energize both of said relays in case of crossed wires, and indication apparatus controlled by said relays.

3. In combination, a railway crossover comprising two switches, a normal and a reverse indication device, two electromag netic devices one for each switch for controlling said indication devices said electromag netic devices being responsive to reversals of current, a circuit for each electromagnetic device the two circuits being distinct from each other, a source of current, and means controlled by each switch for reversely energizing the circuit for the corresponding electromagnetic device from said source according as the switch occupies one position or another.

4.111 combination, a railway crossover comprising two switches, a lever for the control thereof, a normal and a reverse in: dication device for said lever, two electromagnetic devices, one for each switch, for controlli 5 said indication devices, said electromagnetic devices being responsive to reversals of current, a circuit for each electro magnetic device the two said circuits being distinct from each other, a source of current, and means controlled by each switch for reversely energizing the circuit'of the corresponding electromagnetic device from said source according as the switch occupies one position or another.

5. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device. indication apparatus therefor, electromagnetic means for controlling said indication apparatus said means being responsive to reversals of current, a source of current, a low resistance shunt for said means and contacts and conductors controlled by said trafiic controlling device for reversely connecting said source with said electromagnetic means in one direction or the other according as the traflic controlling device occupies one extreme position or another and for disconnecting said source from said means and connecting thelatter with said low resistance shunt when the trafiic controlling device occupies an intermediate position.

6. In combination, a railway crossover comprising two switches, indication apparatus for the crossover. two relays, one for each switch for controlling said apparatus,

each relay being responsive to reversals of current, a source of current, means controlled by each switch for reversely energizing the corresponding relay from said source according as the switch occupies one extreme position or the other, the said means for each switch being arranged to'give sufficient energy to effectively energize one of said relays but insufficient energy to effectively energize both relays in case of crossed wires.

7. In combination, a railway trafiic controlling device, indication apparatus there for, electromagnetic means responsive to reversals of current for controlling said indication apparatus, a low resistanceshunt for said electromagnetic means, a source of current, and contacts and connections controlled by said traffic controlling device for reversely connecting said source with said for said device, electromagnetic means reelertromagnetiemeans according as the trafti t'filliltlllllg device occupies one extreme 1 position or the other and for connecting the electromagnetic means with said low resistance shunt when the trallie, controlling device is intermediate the two extreme iosi tions thereby at, such times shunting iroin the eleetrou'iagnetic means all foreign cur rents.

S. In combination, a railway crossover comprising two switches, indication apparatus for the crossover, two relays one for each switch for controlling said apparatus, a source of current, means controlled by each switch foil energizing the corresponding relay from the source when the switch occupies a certain position, the said means for each switch being arranged to give sufficient energy to etl'eetively energize one of said relays but not sutlicient energy to effectively energize both relays in case of crossed wires.

9. In combination, a railway traffic controlling device, means for moving said device in opposite directions and for locking it in extreme positions, indication apparatus sponsive to reversals of current for controlling said indication apparatus, a source of current, a low resistance shunt for said electromagnetic means; and contacts controlled by said movlng and locking means for energizing said electromagnetic means in one direction orthe other from the source according as the tratlic controlling device occupies one extreme position or the other and is locked in such position and for deenergizing said electromagnetic means and connecting it with said low resistance shunt when the tratlic controlling device is unlocked and when it occupies an intermediate position.

10. In combination, a railway trafiic controlling device, indication apparatus therefor, electromagnetic means for controlling said apparatus, a source of current, a low resistance shunt for said electromagnetic means and contacts and conductors controlled by said tratfic controlling device for connecting said electromagnetic means with said source when the device occupies an extreme position, and for connecting said means with said shunt when the device occupies an intermediate position.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatnres, each in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE R. SCATTERGOOD. HERBERT A. \VALLACF.

Witnesses as to Scattergood: THEO. H. MoCALLA, W. P. ALLEN, Witnesses as to Wallace:

M. KIRKLAND, J. R. CONOVER. 

